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The health of the oceans may be failing, and it may be worse for the planet than the devastation caused by the loss of tropical rainforest.
The Daily Mail reports on research out of Canada showing that phytoplankton, "described as the 'fuel' on which marine ecosystems run," are declining at a rate of about 1 percent a year.
If the researchers' theory proves to be true, it would not only add to evidence that global warming is harming the world's oceans, but would have a more dramatic impact on nature than the loss of tropical rainforests. It would also affect species from tiny zooplankton to large marine mammals—and humans.
One of the researchers, Boris Worm, is quoted saying: "Phytoplankton are a critical part of our planetary life support system. They produce half of the oxygen we breathe, draw down surface carbon dioxide and ultimately support all our fisheries. An ocean with less phytoplankton will function differently and this has to be accounted for in our management efforts."
More from the Daily Mail:
the declines were linked to rising sea-surface temperatures and changes in the conditions of the ocean, particularly close to the equator.Most of the declines were seen in polar and tropical regions and in the open ocean, where most phytoplankton are produced.
The scientists suggested that in warmer oceans there was less movement between the layers of the sea, reducing the amount of nutrients delivered from deep water to the surface ocean.
As phytoplankton need both sunlight and nutrients to grow, the limits on the amount of nutrients in the upper layer of the sea affects production of the algae.
More about phytoplankton and ocean health:
New Study Shows Eukaryotic Phytoplankton Accounts for Almost 50% of Ocean's Carbon Fixation
9 Ways We Can Save the Ocean, and Save Ourselves
Blue August: Cracking The Ocean Code: Phytoplankton (Video)
